This could be a problem...

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Hey Everyone! I am not a CNA, I still have to take my test, but I have a question. I was just wondering what is a CNA to do when a residents clothing is too small and nobody really cares? During my training I had a female resident with a colostomy in a long term care facility whose pants were so tight they were leaving marks on her stomach! They left visible indentations in her fragile skin! I reported to the charge nurse and still nothing was done. It was treated like no big deal, like oh well, like it wasn't important, like maybe we will deal later. I know it can't be comfortable for her, they were that tight.The resident didn't have family that visits so that was out of the question. I asked the resident if they felt too tight and she said yes. I ended up finishing my clinical in that facility and by the time I was done there nothing was done about it. Now I am thinking should I have bought her pants? Am I allowed to do that? Did this ever happen to anyone else? Did you ever tell the charge nurse about any issue and nothing was done? Are tight clothes not a big deal?? Should I have just kept my mouth closed? Are there certain issues to don't take to the charge nurse, and if so is this one of them?

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Specializes in Wound Care , Foot Care,and Geriatrics.

Hi..as someone who is a new c.n.a and dealing with this may I suggest that you set aside the item,perhaps in a bag marked"too small"with the ressies name and ask the nurses,director of care,other aides if they have a well...where I work and where I did my practicum they have clothes that residents who have passed on have donated,as well as funrniture and other items.Good for you talking about it,keep talking and asking people that work there.Housekeeping may also have a sort of lost and found section.PLease please don't just put it back i n the closet...it is sOOOOOOOO frustrating to go to dress a resident and have things not fit,or have too small shoes and you know you are not the only one.Be an advocate for them you will receive so much back!Alot of the people are on such a tight budget,or completely supported by the state/province so perhaps used clothes ??not glamorous but a lot better than being like a stuffed sausage.Good luck,let me know as i am in the same position.The people{women} have worked where I work for like 10/20 years and some of "em have lets say "room for improvement!!

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I think it's nice of you to look into it. I would contact the director as the pp mentioned. If they don't have a stash of clothes, and I bet they do, I wonder if a charitable organization, like the Goodwill, or Salvation Army might be able to donate the clothes. Is there a clergyperson that she sees? Maybe that person has access to a congregation or other charitable resources.

I think that CNAs should be paid more. I think that doing such kind, charitable, and caring acts, offers a spiritual/emotional payment. You sound like a really nice person. The woman is lucky to have you as an advocate. I am not a CNA yet, but I hope that I am able to be as kind and caring as you seem to be.

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the person you should be contacting, if you have one, is the social worker. They should be able to get clothes that fit better for the resident.

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Specializes in TCU, LTC.

If your facility has in-house laundering for the residents, you could check their "orphan" clothes box for some that fit. Tight fitting clothes, espically shoes, are an issue for some patients, skin tears and breakdown are more likely to occur, good job for noticing!

Paul

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Specializes in LTC, cardiac, ortho rehab.

uhhhh, if pants leave marks on your patient, call your nurse and most likely put on a gown. stuff like that can cut off circulation, impair skin integrity, may cause rashes and its just not comfortable. yeah, the social worker will be contacted but tell your nurse so she can get SS to handle the business.

good assessment skills!

jon lvn

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

When I was an aide in a group home for the developmentally disabled, one of my coworkers used to go to the secondhand thrift store and purchase clothing out of her own pocketbook. Since these were used clothes, they usually cost her less than one dollar per piece. Some of the shirts cost only $0.25 per piece.

Since these residents were profoundly retarded, their families usually didn't visit the group home or contribute in their plan of care.

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